Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
I did what I do best when she annoyed me, I ignored her. Walking down the long corridor, I went about my business which was basically babysitting Adriana. I took in my surroundings first like I was conditioned to do everywhere I went. Being overly cautious, my eyes scanned the sea of people. There were bodyguards and security covering their posts in different locations around the wide space, along with cameras strategically placed around the manor.
To the average person, everything and everyone blended in. But to my trained eyes, they stood out like a motherfucker.
The Tuscan style home was as impressive as it sounded. They spared no expense on the gold furnishings, the gaudy furniture, and high-end accents. Both the interior and exterior of the estate screamed of nothing but money and wealth.
Old money to be exact.
This family was loaded, and they had been for generations. Only making me more curious to who they were and why we were here in the first place.
For some reason, my father’s voice popped in my head. “I have business to attend to.”
I disregarded his looming presence that shadowed my thoughts as we strode into the ballroom. The music stopped, and the DJ announced, “Can I get everyone’s attention, please? It’s now time for the woman of the hour to make her long awaited appearance.”
One thing was for sure, they went all out for this event. It wasn’t a party, it was a production. A statement.
Of what?
For who?
Within seconds, a choreographed performance took front and center stage.
“Talk about an entrance,” Ari stated, reading my mind. “And here I thought my graduation party was impressive.”
An older man grabbed the microphone, declaring, “Everyone, please stand and give your undivided attention to my principessa, Sienna Luciano.”
The crowd quickly parted like the red sea, creating a large space for the spectacle that was this daughter. My eyes drifted back to the scene unfolding in front of me. As if on cue, soft light illuminated around the open room. Candles suddenly lit, spreading throughout the entire area like they magically appeared out of thin air. I didn’t even see anyone light them. It gave the ballroom a translucent aura.
“Ari, do you know who she—” I couldn’t finish what I was going to say.
One look.
One moment.
One girl.
Rendered me completely speechless. She was all it took for me to lose my…
Focus.
Chapter 4
—Cruz—
Through a fascinated stare, I watched her every move. She was fucking stunning in her soft pink, lace gown that hugged every curve on her luscious body. Her shoulders and cleavage were bare in a sexy, modest kind of way. There was something about the lace extending down her arms that made her dress that much more enticing.
She screamed royalty.
The cascading diamond earrings she wore only accentuated her long, inviting neck that I suddenly wanted to glide my nose down, to smell then suck on until she was panting with need. Almost immediately, I wondered if she tasted as good as she looked. I was a starving man dying to take a bite. Her hair was pinned up with curls framing her delicate yet defined face with a crown displayed high on her head.
I got lost in her big, dark brown eyes, petite nose, and pouty lips. She was a fucking breathtaking vision, triggering me to lose my shit. There was no taking my eyes off of her as she twirled around the room in some sort of ceremonial celebration or tradition.
It was her time to shine and she brightened up the room, blinding me in the process without even trying. She entranced everyone with her charm as she bathed in the attention. Clearly loving being the sole focus in the room. This girl was meant to be the centerpiece of anyone’s world. She was a thing of beauty.
My captivated stare turned to the same man who announced her arrival, grabbing her hands and pulling her into a tight embrace.
“Sienna, la mia principessa,” he acknowledged, “my princess” in Italian into the microphone, smiling at her with the pride and adoration of a loving father. “I can’t believe you’re officially a high school graduate. I remember carrying you into this home as a baby like it were yesterday. How has it been almost eighteen years, since I first held you in my arms?”
Dotingly, she beamed at her old man, holding his hands out in front of her.
“Principessa, all my life I waited for you to be born. You’re the angel, God sent me from heaven above. I remember every detail of your birth, and often find myself replaying it in my mind. I wish you were still my piccola ragazza, my little girl. Now here you are, standing right in front of me as a young woman ready to take on the world. Sienna, you created love in my heart and filled the void your mother left behind.”